By Andrew DeMillo | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, Advocate readers! Leaders in northeast Texas and southwest Arkansas are both trying to capitalize on the lithium mining boom in the region. Our friends at the Texas Tribune take a look at the conversation on lithium in the Texarkana area. And we have a guest commentary on ways to help the state’s farmers. You can find more Arkansas government and politics news on the Advocate site here.
(Getty Images)
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
By The Texas Tribune
Lithium production has been growing across Texas’ northeast counties over the last three years. Arkansas is seen as ahead because of its longstanding work in other types of mineral production.
David Faulk played soccer for his high school, shown here, as well as for club teams before transitioning to football. His family paid thousands each year for his sports, a cost that approached $20,000 during his final years of high school. The money that families pour into youth sports has made it increasingly attractive to private investors, including private equity firms. (Photo courtesy of Tiffany Whitlow)
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
By Stateline
The amount of money involved — nearly double the annual revenue of the NFL — has made youth sports increasingly attractive to private investors, including private equity firms. State regulators are starting to take notice.
A farmhouse sits along a gravel road near Elgin, Iowa. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
COMMENTARY
By Pamela Nelson and Jacob Rowell
Local farms cultivate not only fresh food, but opportunities for community and connection. When farms disappear, so do those opportunities.
MORE NEWS
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